Mythical Shoes

(From here.)

A friend once said, 'I've never met someone who worries so much about money.'

And oh boy that's me. But then again, you could tag almost anything onto that sentence and it would still be accurate.

"I've never met anyone who worries so much about cancer."
"I've never met anyone who worries so much about their car."
"I've never met anyone who worries so much about ebola."

All true!

But today I'd like to talk about my shoes. I have these shoes I bought last year at Old Navy. They were like $15 and I loved them so much that at the beginning of the winter I pretended people wore shoes without socks in the winter in Michigan in a snow storm.

I've worn them, and worn them, and because I'm so cheap I haven't really worn many other shoes. $15 shoes from Old Navy aren't really meant to be worn every day in all types of weather. The sole of these things is going to fall off soon and then I'm going to be totally out of luck. Forced to wear the only other shoes appropriate for spring in my collection, the ones my mother complimented me on a couple of months ago.

My mom says things like, "I bought these shoes for kickin' around!" And they're the ugliest shoes you've ever seen but she wears them all the time anyway. Because she's always kickin' around....I guess?

This is why I was horrified by her telling me I had cute shoes. Because 'cute' to my mom....is inexplicable.

The problem is I hate shopping for clothes and such(am too cheap, and overwhelmed by all the choices) and I like these shoes more than any other shoes in the land. Except that they're wearing out and wearing them in the rain is like walking around barefoot. I walked a few blocks in the rain last Wednesday and the shoes stayed wet for 3 days.

I'm wondering if you can help me find a similar pair for under $40. Here are some pictures I just took at the coffee shop with my phone. (Not awkward at all.)

The thing that makes these shoes remarkable to me, is they have this tiny hidden heel inside. This is good because I usually hate flats, feels like walking around barefoot. Also makes my but lifted a little and who doesn't like that?

But it also seems like some mythical thing only Old Navy made for a 2 week period a year ago.

Any tips?

Comments

[Pam]

Hot Topic tends to have the same type of shoe. It's sometimes scary to go in the store these days but good luck!
http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302028393&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442195102&bmUID=1238612362738

[Katrina]

http://tinyurl.com/cw6xhu
http://tinyurl.com/cqebr7
http://tinyurl.com/dg8h56 (I have these, they are super comfy)

[Katrina]

oh, though those don't really have the hidden wedge inside.
I DO have a pair in brown that look really close to that and have the wedge, and I got them for $9 at payless. Sadly that was about 2 months ago, and they aren't listed on the site. You could try your local payless, see if they still have them.

[Gabie]

I love Blowfish flats. Not cheap but not too expensive either, and definately worth it. There are some really cute black flats on the website, but it only says "coming soon." I will be getting another pair when the money allows. Good luck.

[Adrienne]

I also wear the same shoes for months on end (for simplicity and cheapness).

Here are some at target:

http://www.target.com/Xhilaration-Sigrid-Buckle-Flats-Black/dp/B000XU4CHY/qid=1238613206/ref=br_1_4/188-5548976-6644963?ie=UTF8&node=3429561&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=3429561&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=1

and

http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Supply-Co-Odessa-Cut-Out/dp/B001GMACJA/qid=1238613333/ref=br_1_5/188-5548976-6644963?ie=UTF8&node=3429561&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=3429561&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2

[katrina]

2 pairs with the hidden wedge:
http://tinyurl.com/cfx33x
http://tinyurl.com/cmmfbf

(can you tell I love shoes? ;o)

[Ani]

Hurry yourself over to 6pm.com today where they have some similar kind of shoes from J-41 on sales for $19.95...loads of different colors and styles.

[Maggie]

Looks like a job for my amazing shoe repair guy! Although, you don't live in Santa Monica...but I'm sure there are amazing shoe repair guys in Michigan too! Check Yelp!

Seriously, my shoe guy has fixed many a pair of $15-20 flats for me that would have otherwise made their way to the dumpster! A new sole and/or small heel piece, a quick cleaning, and voila! Good as new! And usually I only pay around $15 for his services...just think what $15 could get you OUTSIDE of Los Angeles! :)

[Lori]

Do you have a DSW near you? (Designer Shoe Warehouse)? Even if not, their website has some great options for flats under $40. www.dsw.com Good luck!

[tina]

How funny. I'm the same way. I've been wearing the same old navy sandles for about six months!! But I'm in CA and it's warm even in the winter here. But I'll wear them in the rain even! So feeling "weird" I just went and bought a new pair of sandles at 6pm.com. :)

[Robin]

I totally understand your love of your shoes. I have two work pairs and a kick-around pair that I wear non-stop. I think of it as simplication.

One of my work pairs looks remarkably like your beloved pair. I got them on piperlime.com (free shipping even on returns makes this my favorite shoe shopping site), but they don't seem to have them anymore.

But here are a couple pairs that might work:

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19953&pid=595449&scid=595449002

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19953&pid=595444&scid=595444002

Oh the pair of Unlisted shoes I have required no break in whatsoever. They fit the first time I wore them. That alone is a miracle.

[ashley]

Did you check eBay? There are lots of nutso people out there that buy stuff on clearance and then just relist it on eBay. You may find those exact shoes.

Other than that, go check out DSW, however that place is rather overwhelming. So, nevermind. Don't go there.

[Notredame9207]

Try Payless or Kohl's. I found a pair at Kohl's that were similar, but had less "gather" at the top. I think I paid $14 on sale (of course, they ALWAYS have a sale!).

Good luck! if I see a pair out there I will let you know!

[Mary]

http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=61524
At $60, more than you wanted to spend. And perhaps a higher heel than you want. But I love these and wanted to share!

[valerie]

i second the shoe repair recommendation - just find someone good, get a new sole, get them cleaned and you can wear them even longer.

[boutros23]

I feel your pain. I have those exact same shoes in silver and adore them. I'm horrified to think of them wearing out and having to replace them.

[Lindsay]

I noticed your cute shoes when I was busy stalking you at the Coffee Beanery today. I actually thought - 'I need to find some cute shoes like that.'

Great to meet you Melissa!

[beyond]

those are very cute! i've seen nice (cheap) flats at target...

[foodmomiac]

These are a little more money, but you can probably find better deals (I only searched for a minute): http://www.lorisshoes.com/product.asp?lt=c&catid=4767&pfid=LDS07730

Anyway, I love all of my Berne Mev shoes. They are super comfortable, and you can probably get away with wearing them in crappy weather without them completely falling apart (I once walked 1/2 mile through snow in mine with no socks. My feet froze, but the shoes were fine.)

[amber]

Almost identical ones are at Payless. I have them in red patent. http://www.payless.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?&TLC=Womens&SLC=WomensCasuals&BLC=WomensPromoFlats&Width=Wide&DescriptiveColor=Black&ItemCode=59556&LotNumber=060536&Type=Adult&cm_id=coloritemgraphic

[Kelly]

These are almost at your price limit, but worth it! Lands' End has been offering some free shipping lately too...
http://www.landsend.com/pp/TerrainMaryJaneShoes~194448_253.html&cm_re=Tab-_-SH-_-F-_-031709

[Cristy]

Target.com had black and brown ones similar to those on their clearance site.

[Annie B.]

I, too, am a lover of the cheap shoe. I buy almost exclusively from Payless and Target and received so many compliments on these shoes from Payless that I went out and bought a second pair a few weeks ago. I live in the 'ritzy' part of our town and love it when the Chanel/Tori Burch/Juicy Couture wearing bimbos compliment me on my Target/Payless attire. I originally bought them in silver last year, but the 'muted gold' looks almost like silver and I wear them with everything. Here's the link:

http://www.payless.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?&TLC=Womens&SLC=WomensCasuals&BLC=WomensPromoFlats&Width=Regular&DescriptiveColor=Muted_Gold&ItemCode=59556&LotNumber=067773&Type=Adult&cm_id=coloritemgraphic

[Annie B.]

Your comments cut off the long URL, but go to Payless and look for the American Eagle Cherish Mary Jane Flat. You'll love 'em.

[kate]

Yes, get the ones you love resoled! It looks like the upper is in fine condition; new soles can give you another year or two out of them! I've done it many times for shoes I'm not ready to part with. Any shoe-repair shop can do it for you, and it's much cheaper than buying new! (or, of course, you could do BOTH!) Good luck!

[Phoebe]

I like the shoes, but all I could think when I looked at the pictures was, "Ugh! Shoes on the coffee table?!"

You might check out zappos.com. They have a great selection of shoes and the shipping is free.

[Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com]

Have you thought about scouring ebay to see if they have the same pair somewhere on there?

[Carla]

Shoes don't belong on the coffee table at the coffee shop!

[MelissaS]

I've got a tip guys.

Don't ever lick a table that's in a public space.

Worse things than my shoe have been on that table.

[Miss Grace]

THere are really cute, cheap flats at Target. Some of my faves.

[Jana]

Here are the ones I just got at Payless for $17.99: http://www.payless.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?&TLC=Womens&SLC=WomensCasuals&BLC=WomensPromoFlats&Width=Regular&ItemCode=59556&LotNumber=060573&Type=Adult&Popularity=1864&DescriptiveColor=Black

[AmericanFamily]

All these shoes are only $20 today. I think they are pretty cute.

[Rachel]

DSW has a great search fucntion - by color, heel height, cost, and width - if these don't do it for you. http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/catalog/product.jsp?productRef=SEARCH&category=&prodId=180926

[erin]

i'm sure someone has already said this, but you should just get new soles! and next time, buy two pairs (or three? that's almost at the 40 dollar limit...)

[Katze]

I don't have any suggestions for you, but I wanted to commiserate about the Old Navy shoe thing. A couple of summers ago, they carried these corduroy flip flops that were so cute and super comfortable, with a foam inner core that supported your feet. I have literally worn mine until they fell apart-- first the corduroy wore through, then the soles started to separate, and finally the strap has become unstable. Have they ever carried anything like that again? No, they have not. I am indignant at their lack of concern for my footwear needs.

[Maggie]

J.Jill has a couple of shoes in that style, pricier but OH so very gorgeous. I've never been un-cheap enough to buy any so can't say how long they'd last.

What about Zappo's? Search for mary janes on their website and you get hundreds of hits. Mmmmm, Zappo's.

[Susan]

I bought these shoes tonight at Rack Room Shoes for $20. They are very similar and if this pair doesn't do it for you, they have other similar ones for excellent prices. Also, they are having a buy one get one 50% off sale. http://www.rackroomshoes.com/product/xappeal/claudia/1205.135269.html

[Meme]

That is a tough one. I too do not like walking around in flats, but just last week I bought two pairs of the cutest plaid shoes similar to yours at (of all places) Walmart for $10 each. I wasn't expecting all the compliments I have received, and I am hesitant to say "Walmart!" when asked where I bought them....

I had to insert the Dr. Scholl's gels to give me a little "heel" and that helps, because they are true flats.

Good luck!

[Robin]

Oh yeah! I have three pairs (two are the same, just different colors) of Report shoes that are very similar. In fact, I'd say your ON shoes are knock-offs of my Report shoes. I didn't find the exact ones on Zappos but there are many Report flats that are super cute and have the hidden heel. They're a tiny bit more expensive but oh so worth it.

Mine are just like yours but instead of the Mary Jane strap they have an ankle strap. I have them in black leather and brown suede ... yummmmmm.

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722010407/page/1.html

[Robin]

Oh yeah! I have three pairs (two are the same, just different colors) of Report shoes that are very similar. In fact, I'd say your ON shoes are knock-offs of my Report shoes. I didn't find the exact ones on Zappos but there are many Report flats that are super cute and have the hidden heel. They're a tiny bit more expensive but oh so worth it.

Mine are just like yours but instead of the Mary Jane strap they have an ankle strap. I have them in black leather and brown suede ... yummmmmm.

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722010407/page/1.html

[Saple]

i wear shoes without socks in the winter in Michigan... people think I am nuts

[allison]

I buy everything at Goodwill-but WAIT, before you panic, envisioning racks of faded khaki chinos and denim Dockers shirts, know this: my kids dress in MiniBoden, Oilily, Charlie Rocket, and Cakewalk, all from Goodwill. I get Anthropologie stuff for myself there-Sanctuary, Citizens of Humanity, etc. Be a scavenger. Go to the ritziest section of town, locate their thrift store and stalk it, and I mean every day. You will emerge with QUALITY clothes (and dare I say Old Navy shoes are not meant for the years) for hundreds less. Tell me your shoe size and I'll scope out something cute. I promise I'm not a crazy internet weirdo.

[Phyllis E]

Oh, just get over real shoes and get the Crocs cute flats in many colors. You'll never go back...

[sarah]

A little pricer than you want, but my pair of Gravis shoes made it through a summer of walking around on cobblestones and dirt roads in the Middle East and still look like new--they come highly recommended.

http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/352/filter/categoryFacet/%22Shoes%22/gender/%22Womens%22

(You can always try them and send them back ;))

[sarah]

These are great: http://www.zappos.com/product/7421429/color/3

A little expensive, but like I said, my pair is indestructible.

[Amanda]

Hmm. Yeah, can't help you. I bought 3 pair of Old Navy shoes in the fall for $10/each and have worn the shit out of all of them to the point where the fake patent pleather has cracked where my foot flexes when I walk. Old Navy shoes are the bomb explosive.

[Betsy]

Is there an outlet mall near you? The Bass outlet store near me has those same shoes (in black and brown). Inexpensive and comfy!

[Amanda]

OH! I have the exact right pair sitting in my "favorites" list on 6pm.com. They have the pleats at the toe AND the hidden wedge. BUT, they have an ankle strap instead of the cute mary jane strap. I love the bronze leather, but I think the camel would be really cute for spring. AND! ANDANDAND.... they are 50% off.... only $35. Enjoy!

[Andrea]

I didn't read all 547 comments, so someone may have already said this.

Whenever I find a pair of shoes I like, especially if they're cheap, and especially since I wear a freaking SIZE 12, I *always* buy a second pair for when those wear out.

You may have to fight the urge to not want to pay $30 when you can pay $15, but resist! You will be so much happier next year.

[Jackie]

Those are cute shoes! It sucks when that happens. I found these on shoes.com searching for black mary-janes. They're both $35. The first one is made by croc so they're probably pretty durable. Free shipping too! Good luck!

http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC1052527&pg=5045385&icid=tsl

http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=34782&pg=1010789

[amanda (is a noodlehead)]

So sorry, I had the perfect shoes for you (which another commenter apparently also has, the Report shoes?) and didn't leave you the link. Duhhhrr. Sorry about that.

http://www.6pm.com/n/p/p/7330312/c/3297.html

[Jenn (dish)]

I live for the Kohl's clearance rack, normally. My feet love Skechers, and last year I got a pair that starts the season at $70+ for only $12. Score! I also like Target for cute shoes, but I find that I can't wear them for days in a row, so they are just "spacer" shoes.

[ashleyD]

they sell knock offs like those all over the place! hrrm.. try tj maxx, the shoe dept., jc penny. ohh i know jc penny has them!

[Jodi]

They have a pair very similar to those at Payless for about $20. I have them in red and black. Very comfy.

[terilynn]

Why didn't you write this post LAST week, before I bought some much-less-cute and much-less-comfortable black flats from Target?

Oof.

[Kari-Mel]

Totally check out Payless.com they have tons of shoes with that hidden little wedge heel inside and they're all under $20 - you can get 2 pair! :)

[Tara]

Just was out shopping today and saw these in the mall and thought of you. not sure if these are close enough to what you want but hey i tried! :)

http://www.journeys.com/product.aspx?id=82276&g=girls&p=shoes&c=826&l=black&m=SM

[Karen]

Ebay. I find all that stuff on ebay. Be sure to buy two.

[Amanda of Shamelessly Sassy]

I have a very similar pair of shoes that I purchased from Target last year. I also wore them shoeless in the worst of weather. I just loved them so much. So much, in fact, that I just noticed last week that I had worn a hold in the bottom of them. My husband caught me not wearing them in threw them in the trash. I'm pretty bummed.

[Vanessa]

I know I suggested Privo before, but they honestly are wicked awesome!
http://www.zappos.com/product/7508098/color/89
or(I have these)...
http://www.zappos.com/product/7382598/color/3
or maybe(I covet these)...
http://www.zappos.com/product/7416709/color/72

[Jess]

The Bargain Barn at www.sierratradingpost.com

Look for Keen! They are awesome, wonderful, for all seasons! And they have cute/durable Mary Janes.

Sidenote: their shipping has always been super fast.

[Erin]

I know you posted this like ages ago but I have a nearly identical pair of those shoes I bought last year too, but I bought them at DSW.

I live in Metro Detroit too (just moved here last year from Phoenix) and I don't remember where that DSW is to save my life. Maybe they still have them (doubtful, I bought them last July) but mine also have a little wedge in them. No strap, but the same pleating around the foot. The brand is Reaction by Kenneth Cole (which they don't have listed on their website for some absurd reason).

All I remember about my DSW location is that it had a Kohl's right next to it. I think it's near the Oakland Mall? ... I think?

Anyway, good luck with those shoes, I love mine (and wore mine in the snow in February) too!

[Nicole]

THEY'RE BACK. Just checked online and Old Navy is selling them again. Hurray!

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=17095&vid=1&pid=681152&scid=681152002

[Little Red Running Shoes]

Very cute.Want some!

[Linda]

Hi:

I also wear my maryjane flats in winter without socks. They are so comfortable without socks. Payless has cute pair of maryjanes called the cherlis

[Little Women's Shoes]

Very cute.